VICTORIA HAYES: "I'm ready."
Sergeant Collins examined the pages and asked a few neutral questions to clarify the order of events. Victoria answered each one without adding anything she could not support.
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "Did Officer Miller explain that he was concerned about a specific security threat?"
VICTORIA HAYES: "Not before he grabbed me. He challenged my credentials, but he did not identify a particular threat or ask me to wait while he verified anything."
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "Did he give you instructions that you refused to follow?"
VICTORIA HAYES: "He told me to leave the reception area. I asked him to contact a supervisor so that the situation could be clarified. I did not attempt to enter a restricted area."
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "Thank you. I'll make sure those distinctions are recorded."
Victoria signed the statement and checked the time. The appointment she had arrived for was already well behind schedule, and the incident had consumed far more time than she had anticipated. She could still contact her office and reschedule the meeting, but she wanted to understand what the precinct intended to do with the incident report first.
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "Captain Bennett will speak with you again once we've completed the initial documentation. Is there anything else you believe we should preserve or review?"
Victoria considered the question.
VICTORIA HAYES: "The lobby footage, the appointment record, and the statements from the people who were present should establish most of the sequence. If there are any access logs or desk records showing my arrival, those may also be useful."
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "I'll add that to the list."
Victoria stood and gathered her phone and bag.
VICTORIA HAYES: "I would also like a copy of the incident reference number when one is assigned."
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "I'll provide it once the report has been entered."
The two women left the room. In the corridor, the captain was waiting with a thin folder in his hand. He looked up as they approached.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Agent Hayes, thank you for your patience. We have the initial account, and Sergeant Collins is securing the available records."
VICTORIA HAYES: "I appreciate that. I would like to know what happens next."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "First, we complete the documentation and review the evidence. Then the incident will be handled through the appropriate supervisory process. I won't promise you an outcome before those steps are finished."
VICTORIA HAYES: "That is reasonable. I do expect the incident to be reviewed fully."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "It will be."
Derek's voice came from the reception area before anyone could continue.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "Captain, I need to clarify something about the footage."
Captain Bennett turned toward him. Derek had approached with his hands held in front of him, trying to appear composed.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "What about it?"
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "There may be an issue with the recording system. Sometimes the camera skips frames when the network is busy. I don't want us relying on something incomplete."
Sergeant Collins looked up from her folder.
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "Have you checked the recording?"
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "No. I'm saying there can be technical issues."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Then the technical condition of the recording can be verified by the person responsible for reviewing it. You are not to access or alter the footage yourself."
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "I wasn't planning to alter anything."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "I am telling you what the procedure requires. Follow it."
Derek nodded, but his gaze moved briefly toward Victoria.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "I just want the full context to be considered."
VICTORIA HAYES: "So do I."
The answer was simple enough that Derek seemed unprepared for it. He had expected resistance, perhaps another argument. Instead, Victoria's response left no distinction between what she wanted and what the captain had already ordered.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Sergeant, is the person responsible for the security system available?"
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "I'll contact the duty technician and confirm the recording status."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Please do."
Sergeant Collins walked toward the administrative offices, carrying the folder with her. Captain Bennett remained with Victoria near the corridor.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "I understand you had a meeting scheduled here. Would you prefer to reschedule it, or would you like us to contact the office and see whether the person you were meeting is available?"
VICTORIA HAYES: "I'd like to know whether they're still available. I came here to discuss a professional matter, and I would prefer not to lose the entire appointment because of what happened at reception."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "I'll have the office contacted."
He signaled to an administrative officer, who immediately went to make the call. For the first time since her arrival, Victoria was being assisted without having to argue for the basic courtesy of a response.